The French Federation of Aeromodelling (FFAM) this year celebrates 50 years. To honour its founding president, Serge MAUPETIT from Niort, it wished if possible to hold all the national championships in the Poitou-Charentes region. Thus, the clubs of our departments have been asked and for two weeks, the most varied categories will make their show in the four departments of our former region.
Naturally, Rouillé and its aeromodelling stadium had been chosen to receive the Championship of France Control Line, as has been the case on many occasions. But as the idea was to bring together several disciplines, the Cercle Modéliste Rullicois also proposed to organize the Championship of France Hand Launched Glider it previously received twice.

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August, the Plain of Chauday was the centre of unusual activity since besides the aeromodelling stadium, a second site was opened in a borrowed field prepared by a farmer. On this temporary site the French elite "Hand Launched Glider " pilots faced each other to determine who would be the national champion 2016. The spectacular launch is deceiving because to propel a hand glider weighing 300 grams to 80 metres high demands mastery. 10 rounds were accrued and after two days of effort, it was an inhabitant of the Jura Mountains who took the title. There was no member of the CMR in this category.

On the runways of the aeromodelling stadium, the engines roared for 58 competitors including 8 rullicois. The heats were stopped because of the strong wind on Saturday afternoon but resumed on a more beautiful Sunday at dawn. After the competition, the young Gabriel Colas was ranked 5th in national acrobatics and is promising for the future. After being the front runner, in the fly offs Serge Delabarde had to settle for third place in the final of the international acrobatics. The greatest success came in the racing categories with the Surugue family as the sons Pascale and Bryce won the final of the Goodyear and the father Roland with his pilot Thierry Ougen the international class.

All in all, a good year for the CMR and a good championship which was complimented by the warm ambience and feel of the closing banquet. We also noted an interested and relatively numerous public.